Past Projects Funded

The SEAI RDD Funding Programme has been operating since year 2002. Here you will find summaries and final reports relating to recent projects funded by SEAI.

Energy planning

RDD 138: Ireland's Data Hosting Industry - Bitpower (Host in Ireland)

The Final Project Report defines a baseline for understanding the scale and sustainability of Ireland's fastest growing industry. The project team undertook an industry-wide study of Ireland’s data-centre landscape with the aim of improving information related to the sector. The report explores the energy use and growth of data centres in Ireland, quantifying investment and identifying sustainability measures for the sector. The team mapped over fifty data centres either operational, in construction, or planned in the Dublin region.

Energy Efficiency

RDD 117: A decision support system for energy usage in dairy production (DSSED)

This research project was led by Cork Institute of Technology, with collaboration from Teagasc. The aim of the project was to develop a decision support system for optimal energy consumption on Irish dairy farms. The key project output – The Dairy Energy and Decision Support Tool - is an open access web application and is now available for use on the Cork Institute of Technology website.

This online portal enables dairy farmers to input details of their current farm and calculate how investment in renewable energy and energy efficient technologies will affect their farm from economic, energy consumption and environmental perspectives. The technologies which can be analysed include plate coolers, variable speed drives (VSDs), heat recovery systems, solar water heating systems, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind turbines. Additionally, the technology calculator could be used to inform future policy and incentive design.

Further details of the model input and development, as well as instructions for use of the web portal, can be found in the Final Project Report.

Bioenergy

RDD 120. ReBiogen - tCBB-RESOURCE (2017)

The project team, led by TCBB-RESOURCE in collaboration with Carlow-Kilkenny Energy Agency, Tipperary County Council & Tipperary Energy Agency, developed a viable business model supporting mobilisation and exploitation of Ireland’s agri-food, marine, forestry and municipal waste residues for recovery of renewable energy.

The team looked at the sustainable exploitation of these residues through an integrated approach to supply chain development, facilitating aggregation and mobilisation of feedstock together with deployment of energy production technology focusing on AD and pyrolysis.

In particular, the analysis focussed on designing a community based model that can aggregate and mobilise supply, of a range of feedstock’s within a given locality and that deploys shared (or public) processing infrastructure to recover renewable energy.

The project outputs have increased the evidence base in relation to exploiting these substantial wastes and residues for renewable energy recovery. The future application of the project findings could contribute to Ireland’s renewable energy and climate change obligations as well as broader sustainability, circular economy, waste management and rural development objectives.

This research project led by IrBEA focused on the generation of new industry-relevant knowledge and guidance on Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) and sustainability criteria of local bioenergy supply chains in Ireland.

Through targeted research and consultation with key stakeholders - including Bord na Mona, Veolia and Energia - the below report was developed. This report provides guidance on LCA and its application to bioenergy, it also discusses biomass sustainability criteria within Irish national policy and summarises existing certification schemes.

As part of this SEAI funded project, IrBEA ran a 2-day LCA training workshop on the 20th and 21st June 2017. The course was delivered by Anna Evans, a UK-based LCA practitioner. The need for relevant industry training was apparent through an oversubscription and waiting list for each of the workshop days.

This project by IrBEA supports the development of the bioenergy sector in Ireland addressing a key barrier, the planning process, which is consistently highlighted as an impediment to the sector.

The objective of this research is to aid the deployment of the bioenergy sector by “de-risking” the planning process for developers (community or traditional), by facilitating consistency, clarity and transparency in the decision-making processes of planning authorities when considering applications for the development of bioenergy technologies in projects of all scales in urban and rural contexts in Ireland.

The below report contains a set of planning policy and development guidance recommendations relating to specific development implications associated with new bioenergy projects in the Republic of Ireland. The recommendations contained in this report were developed through a comprehensive process which examined issues emerging within the planning pipeline, societal acceptance matters as well as through consultation with key stakeholders involved with the planning system and the bioenergy sector.

Climate change

This project by CODEMA focused on the development of Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI) calculations for the Dublin region. BEIs were created for each individual local authority area in Dublin, and then amalgamated to give a regional BEI to support the work of Ireland’s first regional Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Action Plan for the Dublin Local Authorities.

The BEI for the Dublin region was established following the methodology as set out in the ‘Developing CO2 Baselines: A Step-by-Step Guide for Your Local Authority’ report, which also forms part of Codema’s SEAI RDD award (report provided below). Codema also developed and presented a webinar to demonstrate how to calculate a CO2 emissions baseline within your region.

The Dublin region’s BEI gives a total energy and emissions figure for the county area, including emissions from all buildings, transport, waste and wastewater. The results of the Dublin region’s BEI are presented in the below summary report.

Smartgrid

RDD 124. SmartBlocks - CIT (2017)

This project led by researchers at the Nimbus Research Centre in CIT, explored the potential application of blockchain technology in the energy sector. The project ultimately resulted in the development and prototyping of the SmartBlocks solution.

SmartBlocks is a set of software services that allows independent entities (energy services companies (ESCOs), Building Owners, Utility providers, energy traders) to leverage the concept of Smart Contracts and Blockchain technology to create a trusted and verifiable ledger of energy transactions. An integrated prototype for the SmartBlocks system was developed to support demonstration and evaluation of a Blockchain approach for continuous energy auditing. The BlockMeter prototype was deployed at the Nimbus building in CIT.

The report below provides an overview of the work undertaken, including the selection and specification of a high level reference architecture, the SmartBlocks component development process, the proof-of-concept deployment, an analysis and evaluation of the ESCO market potential and a summary of the risks and opportunities for blockchain technology in the energy sector.

Renewable electricity - wind

This project led by Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) investigates the impact of local obstacles, such as buildings and regional terrain, on the energy performance of 3 existing medium to large scale wind auto-producers at separate semi-urban locations. The study is based on an analysis of multi-annual 10-minute SCADA datasets for each site. As well as the technical analysis, DkIT also consulted with the turbine owners for feedback regarding public attitudes to each turbine.The below project report presents a summary of key recommendations and siting considerations for the future installation of large scale wind auto-producers.

RDD 94. Wind Energy Research Platform And Academy - TCD

The project builds on previous support provided by SEAI with the ultimate aim of creating of a national centre for wind energy research in Ireland through the delivery of specific tasks in 2016. The tasks will focus on developing research on wind turbine noise specifically enhancing software tools, noise codes, and providing a technical underpinning for policy around turbine noise. The research will be disseminated through a suite of conferences, workshops and events in 2016.

Renewable electricity - solar

This is policy-oriented study which will provide an evidence-based analysis of the added value of intelligently controlled PV solar generators on losses or congestion on an electrical network. In particular, NovoGrid have developed an intelligent control system that enables PV solar generators to deliver more energy by minimising thermal impacts on the electrical distribution network.

This project will assess the technical; financial and economic impact of the intelligent control technology and its impact on potential PV solar support schemes.

Energy storage

RDD 105. Boston Scientific Energy Storage Project - Kingspan

The Boston Scientific Energy Storage Project is a unique project for Ireland demonstrating the potential benefits of energy storage technology to enhance the value of embedded renewable generation technology to business and assist in controlling and reducing energy costs.

This project will involve the installation of the first Tesla Powerpack system at an industrial scale in Ireland. This project will deliver an embedded asset which is a truly active player in the energy market taking advantage of time-of-use pricing and shifting green energy to a time where it is most advantageous.

RDD 101. Flexigrid - Solo Energy Ltd

Solo Energy is an innovative Irish start up with a 100%- renewable energy supplier business model that revolves around the deployment of a distributed demand-side energy storage network to shift energy supply to customers from periods of peak demand and peak wholesale energy price, to periods of peak renewable generation and low wholesale energy price. Solo plan to deploy fully financed energy storage systems to each new customer site by late 2016 and as a precursor to physical deployment, will undertake the FlexiGrid Project.

The FlexiGrid Project is research to model the impact of a storage network on existing and future grid infrastructure using Power Systems analysis software coupled with physical testing of system components in a lab micro-grid.

Anaerobic digestion

RDD 99. ADbag - Demetra Ltd

Demetra Ltd is an innovative company based in Dublin, designing and developing biogas plants for the Irish market (targeting agricultural and animal farmers and small food processor companies). This project aims to design and manufacture a pilot demonstration AD tank made by plastic based fabric. The ADbag aims to provide a simpler, less expensive option to traditional AD systems, allowing for the exploitation of potential biomass feedstock currently wasted in the farming and small food processor sector.

NVP has worked with SEAI in 2014/2015 on the development of a low temperature anaerobic digestion (LtAD) technology where funding was previously used to optimise the design of the AD reactor and piloting its trial in Carbery Mills, Aarabawn Dairies and the Kerry Group.

The proposed project in 2016 will carry out monitoring and testing to validate the LtAD technology to ensure its efficient operation as this innovative technology is the first of its kind.

RDD 104. Ambigas - NUIG

High volume, low strength industrial effluents represent a great potential for innovation in biogas production. This project aims to develop process technology, design criteria and operational strategies for biogas production from such effluents. The project outputs will allow for wider uptake of this technology for both energy production and environmental protection.

Energy planning

RDD 65. Clonburris Energy Masterplan - SDCC

The project is at the first stage of development and aims to develop a low carbon energy solution 'Energy Masterplan' for Clonburris in Dublin, offering the potential to support cost-competitive low carbon heat and electricity alternatives that can be mirrored by other Councils around Ireland.

This research will build on the current spatial planning tools and strategies, in particular County Development Plan energy policies, and will further support evidence-based and spatially appropriate energy and climate change mitigation policies, objectives and implementation measures.

The project aims to develop and enhance the methodologies involved in creating Spatial Energy Demand Analysis (SEDAs) and create tools in order to shape local level energy policy through evidence-based energy planning. The project will produce a SEDA for the entire region of Dublin (applying the SEDA in urban/peri-urban/rural areas), which can be hosted on the SEAI website and accessed by outside researchers and policy makers

RDD 72. Micro Siting Guidelines For Wind Energy Autoproducers - DKIT

The project aims to develop technical micro-siting guidelines for small to large scale wind autoproducers in Ireland based on measurement from a range of sites in Ireland.

Site assessment and energy yield assessment for small, urban and autoproduction wind turbines is difficult due to limited resources and significant costs for the individual. The development of micro-siting guidance for autoproduction wind turbines will positively influence the provision of planning guidance for such installations and provide support to the sector.

RDD 96. Planning And Development Guidance Recommendations To Support The Solar Energy Sector In Ireland - Future Analytics Consulting Ltd

This project will build on work completed to date, by further developing recommendations for S28 Planning Guidance, covering the deployment of large ground and roof mounted solar energy schemes in urban and rural environments. A lack of effective planning policy in the solar sector constitutes a risk to planning authorities, the development sector and communities at all scales assessing applications for solar development. Such uncertainty hampers investment in the sector.

District heating

RDD 79. District Heating In Ireland: Best Practice - IRBEA

This is a 4 part policy-orientated study that will provide much needed information to the public and private sectors, as well as guidance to policy makers for the effective development and deployment of district heating (DH) networks in Irish towns and cities. The project will develop 3 in-depth, comprehensive case studies of established and successful Irish DH networks. Separately, a Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA) of 3 potential opportunity sites for DH developments and a high value guidance manual outlining a step-by-step approach to establishing DH in Ireland will be developed.

With a focus on information sharing and capacity building, the project team will disseminate the guidance manual and related information and host a DH Conference aimed at public agencies, local authorities and local and national decision makers.

There is a shortage of empirical data on the actual benefit of draught reduction in the residential sector. This research will provide measured data on the effectiveness of draught reduction measures on a single dwelling, measuring the thermal performance, reduction in energy usage and improvement in thermal comfort of a sample of buildings following the application of several low-cost, draught reduction measures such as draught stripping floors, chimney balloons. The results of this research will be published and disseminated amongst building professionals, policy makers and other relevant players.

Geothermal

RDD 75. Solar Assisted Ground Source (SAGS) - Terra GeoServ Ltd

This is an innovative project aiming to develop a hybrid ground source and solar thermal system for the Irish market. The development of the Solar Assisted Ground Source SAGS technology will introduce a cost competitive alternative to the Irish ground source heat pump market, with greater long term performance and improved operating costs. The project will illustrate how the climatic and energy demand conditions in Ireland are ideally suited to the development of innovative geothermal collector technologies.

The project proposes to develop course modules and training for professionals involved in the design and installation of shallow geothermal and ground source heat pump technologies in Ireland. This new course will target all professionals responsible for design, specification, construction, installation and testing of ground source collectors.

Improvement of heat pump installations is an important part of increasing the success and penetration of this technology in Ireland and a training course such as this is essential to ensure that ground source heat pump installations consistently perform as well as expected. The project covers an area currently missing from the renewables curriculum in Ireland.

Biomass

RDD 108. Biomass Combustion Emissions Study - IRBEA

If biomass is to make its greatest possible contribution to renewable energy provision in Ireland any positive impact on the environment must not be outweighed by potential negative impacts on the environment. The issue of air quality and emissions from biomass combustion needs to be properly examined. This project aims to undertake a desk study of existing boiler regulations, air quality regulations, appliance requirements, fuel requirements and other relevant information and produce a report to inform policy makers.

RDD 106. Biomass Valorisation From Cutaway Peatland - Bord Na Mona

In 2015, with support from SEAI, Bord na Mona successfully completed trials to grow and harvest biomass on cutaway peatland with the ultimate aim of developing a viable biomass briquette. This project intends to build on the findings of 2015 by harvesting rush and reed canary grass materials and making the biomass briquettes using steam explosion technology at the BNM briquette factory in Littleton. The project team will also carry out a 3 year GHG life cycle analysis of the process. By redefining potential end uses and embracing new methods of production there is significant potential to find environmentally sustainable and financially viable after uses for cutaway peatland.

Hydrogen production

RDD 67. Materials For A Robust Renewable Hydrogen Technology- DCU

A source of renewable hydrogen could revolutionise energy storage. Sunlight can be used to split water and harvest the hydrogen from the water molecule with a simple cheap catalyst material. Recent work carried out by DCU has shown that lithium vanadate (LiVO3) has very promising material properties for use as a water splitting catalyst and works at a commercial viable efficiency and displays moderate stability. This innovative project intends to carry out research to optimise the material properties of LiVO3 and identify a protective layer which inhibits the degradation of the catalyst material during water splitting.

The objective of this project is to develop a new technology for the sustainable and environmentally friendly generation of hydrogen from water based on cheap and sustainable polymeric materials. The hypothesis for this is that photo/electrocatalytic polymers for H2 generation will address; cost (low cost polymers), sustainability, (no reliance on precious metals), energy storage (generation of hydrogen during periods of high wind could fuel our cars and provide the storage needed by the electricity supply industry) and climate change (this approach is carbon neutral when combined with alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and wave technologies, will reduce CO2 emissions).

Geographical Information Systems GIS

RDD 73. High Resolution Solar And Wind Energy Datasets For Ireland - Irish Centre For High End Computing

This is an ambitious and complex project with a policy-orientated focus that will deliver long-term, high-resolution gridded and time-series Regional Climate Model (RCM) datasets of solar radiation (thermal/PV) and onshore/offshore wind fields.

The proposed project will assist in the production of a first solar atlas for Ireland and update and develop the current wind atlas. The project team will closely follow the methods and recommendations of the SEAI 2013 Wind Atlas technical report. Producing accurate and up-to-date energy maps for Ireland will support informed decision making on the cost-effectiveness of solar and wind developments and further promote the use of renewable energy technologies.

Community participation and ownership

This project represented a partnership between the Institute of Technology, Sligo and Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI). The team established a study group of 6 communities within the region of Co. Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim, and surveyed their energy demand. They developed Community Transition Roadmaps to 2025 outlining objectives and recommendations to reach the targets, and the benefits to the local community. The project outputs will support the transition from passive consumers to energy citizens on a targeted community scale, in line with the ambitions of the Energy White Paper. The data and information gathered as part of this project will facilitate participation in other SEAI programmes such as Sustainable Energy Communities.

Community participation and ownership

RDD 103. Business Models For Community Wind Farms - UCC

This is a highly collaborative, policy-orientated study that will examine the use of alternative business models to support community ownership/ co-ownership of wind farm developments in Ireland. The outputs of this project will assist in the acceleration of wind farm construction in Ireland by ensuring the benefits of these developments are passed to a broader base of stakeholders. The project team will investigate and review wind farm business models that have effectively supported community ownership in other EU jurisdictions. The project team has an expert panel in place to assess the viability of similar models in Ireland. Using best practice stakeholder engagement methodologies, the proposed models and case studies will be presented to selected groups of stakeholders.

Through this collaborative, combined process, once the optimum business model has been identified, policy recommendations will be presented in the areas of: Financial, Legislative and Technical requirements in order to facilitate implementation.

This research will investigate the potential for local investment in renewable energy projects for both rural and urban communities and will seek to enhance the capacity for community ownership and investment in renewable energy through mechanisms underpinned by legislative provisions. By reviewing best practice and existing national legislation, the project team aims to make recommendations on a Community Investment Scheme Framework and next steps (e.g. preparation of codes of practice, national guidelines, changes to legislation, consultation etc.).

RDD 91. Social / Community Acceptance Of High Voltage Transmission Lines And Community Gain Messaging - NUIG

There is a lack of knowledge on how to deliver community gain messaging effectively and efficiently within project proposals on energy infrastructure projects. By undertaking quantitative surveys of householders located in close proximity to the proposed route of a high voltage overhead electricity line, this research will determine how and to what degree host communities are influenced by community gain messaging, with the ultimate aim of developing innovative community gain solutions to assist in the successful deployment of future energy infrastructure projects.